Hey there friend! Today, I share powerful takeaways from a recent groundwork and riding lesson with my horse, Abigail. What began as a simple ride turned into a real-time experience of managing fear, pressure, and uncertainty. When Abigail became startled during our ride, I had to override my instinct to shut down and stay present in the face of escalating tension. With guidance from my trainer, I learned how to support Abigail through her fear while simultaneously regulating my own nervous system (even when my brain kept going offline)

This experience revealed a deeper pattern I've seen in myself...hesitating to ask for help, playing it safe, and avoiding discomfort. I talk about how this lesson in the arena became a mirror for how I move through fear in other parts of life, and how learning to stay centered and responsive (rather than reactive) might be one of the most important skills we can develop, whether we're riding a horse or navigating everyday challenges.